Reports to the Northern California BirdBox, transcribed for BirdWest by Adam Winer.
ALAMEDA COUNTY
28 April Between Livermore and Pleasanton, a pair of Short-tailed Grackles returned to Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area, off Stanley Blvd. After entering the park, walk past the boat rental area to the next area with reeds - the grackles were in the "Marina View Picnic Area" just to the right of the reeds. Mike Feighner28 April In Oakland, a female Tufted Duck was at Lake Merritt, in the arm of the lake stretching toward the Grand Lake Theatre. Mike Ezekiel
14 April In Fremont, a female Least Bittern was at Coyote Hills Regional Park. It flew across the Chochenyo Trail, by its intersection with the Bayview Trail and near where the boardwalk enters the marsh. Anthony Fisher
13 April In Hayward, the Tropical Kingbird continued at the end of W Winton Ave, just outside the Hayward Regional Shoreline. Courtenay Peddle
12 April In Hayward, a Tropical Kingbird was at the Hayward Regional Shoreline, near the parking lot at the west end of W Winton Ave. It was seen on the left side of the road, just north of the East Bay Regional Park District office at 3050 Winton Ave. First found by the ranger this morning, it was still present in the afternoon. Mike Feighner
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
25 April In eastern Contra Costa County, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Hooded Orioles, and a Swainson's Hawk were off the north end of Bethel Island Rd. A Swainson's Hawk also was seen along Holland Tract Rd. An American Bittern was near the end of Jersey Island Rd. Florence Bennett19 April In Mount Diablo State Park, several Calliope Hummingbirds were in the sage upslope from the White Canyon Trail, and a Black-throated Gray Warbler and a Hermit Warbler were in Mitchell Canyon (south of Clayton). Jim White
16 April In Mount Diablo State Park, a male Calliope Hummingbird was near Rhine Canyon Road (fire road/trail). From Oak Knoll picnic area, take Oak Knoll Trail to Green Ranch Road, go right to Rhine Canyon Road, then left and the hummingbird was 200 yards down on Rhine Canyon Road. Bob Brandriff
15 April In Mount Diablo State Park in Mitchell Canyon (south of Clayton), there were at least 10 male Calliope Hummingbirds, a Rufous Hummingbird, 2 or 3 Hammond's Flycatchers, and a Nashville Warbler. Alan White
6 April In Richmond, a Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel was on the bay just north of Point Isabel. From Hwy 80 or 580, take Central Ave west. After the overpass, turn right on Rydin Rd and drive north to the end (near the East Bay Regional Parks parking lot). Walk one-half mile north along the paved trail (keep to the east of the fenced-in dog area). The storm-petrel was near a large "Shore Patrol" sign, in a small bay formed by a breakwater. Emilie Strauss
1 April In the Berkeley Hills, the Summer Tanager continued in Tilden Nature Area in eucalyptus and pines on the north edge of the Little Farm corrals, 100 yards from the Environmental Education Center. George Finger